Ex-teacher’s husband gets probation for growing pot

MEDINA — The husband of a former Claggett Middle School teacher was placed on three years’ probation Thursday for growing marijuana at their Litchfield Township home.

Vito Asaro, 33, of the 8400 block of Spieth Road, pleaded guilty in February to illegal marijuana cultivation and marijuana trafficking. He faced up to a year in prison on each charge.

Vito Asaro

His wife, 28-year-old Katie Hill-Asaro, was sentenced to a three-year intervention program in January after pleading guilty to permitting drug abuse. If she makes it through the program, her plea will be withdrawn and her case will be dismissed.

Her charge accused her of allowing her husband to grow marijuana. Police said she did not take part in the cultivation or trafficking, but was aware of both.

In addition to probation, her husband must complete 24 hours of community service and will have his driver’s license suspended for six months.

Medina County Common Pleas Judge James L. Kimbler said Asaro will spend six months in jail if he violates probation.

The couple was arrested after an undercover Medina County Drug Task Force agent bought marijuana from Asaro in July. An August search warrant yielded 28 plants from the 4-acre Litchfield Township property.

After her arrest, Hill-Asaro resigned from her teaching position. She was an eighth-grade math teacher.

Nick Glunt primarily covers courts and crime in Medina County. He has been with The Gazette since September 2012 and also serves as the newspaper's web editor. Contact him at (330) 721-4048 or via email at nglunt@medina-gazette.com.